The Derrick Law Firm Blog

Chevy Suburban and Other Models Recalled for Steering Defect

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, GM is recalling 2012 models of the Chevy Suburban and the GMC Yukon XL. The recall also covers 2012 Chevy Express and GMC Savanna commerical vans. The affected vehicles have a steering gear pitman shaft that possibly did not properly harden in the manufacturing stage and could break from metal fatigue. This break could lead to steering loss and increases the risk of a serious accident.
The report from the NHTSA says that it could take some time for the problem to occur in new trucks; "component testing suggests that a fatigue failure due to this condition would not occur for at least 5 months in service for the most severe usage."
GM will begin notifying owners starting April 4, 2012 and dealers will replace the affected parts free of charge.

For more information please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

How A Concussion Affects Learning and What to Look For After a TBI

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

It has been shown that the effects of a concussion, or traumatic brain injury, on a student's return to school are unique to each individual. Most of the time a concussion will not significantly limit a students participation in the classroom, but in some cases, the injury can affect multiple aspects of the individual's ability to participate, learn, and perform well in school. In some cases, the experience of learning or engaging in academic activities that require concentration can cause the symptoms of the injury to reappear. Given this circumstance, a students specific needs may to be tailored with academic adjustments to help ease the transition.
So, how do you tell if your student is ready to go back to school? The first thing is to for them to be seen by a healthcare professional that is experienced in evaluating a concussion. They can make the determination on whether or not your child is ready to face the classroom based on the number, type, and severity of the symptoms. They will also offer guidance on the appropriate levels of cognitive and physical activity for the student. It is also beneficial to give permission to your childs teachers and assistants to monitor behavior and functions and then share those with you and any other professionals involved in the recovery process.
Below is a short list of what school professionals should watch for in a student returning after a concussion.
- Increased problems paying attention or concentrating
- Increased problems remembering or learning new information
- Longer time needed to complete tasks or assignments
- Difficulty organizing or shifting between tasks
- Inappropriate or impulsive behavior
- Less ability to copy with stress
- Overly emotional and/or difficulty handling the stimulating school environment like lights and noise
- Physical symptoms like headaches, nausea, and dizziness
If your child has had a concussion or traumatic brain injury, it is important they are seen by a professional and that every procaution is taken to help them heal. Returning to school will help with that healing process, however school professionals should be aware of what to look for and how to help.

Insurance Company Ordered to Homeowner $8 Million After Explosion in 2008

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

An elderly Hollywood Hills man whose home was nearly destroyed after a dump truck crashed into in and ruptured a gas line causing an explosion was awarded more than $8 million dollars after jurors on the case found the insurance company failed to honor its contract. The jury found that Residence Mutual Insurance Co. acted with malace and fraud in failing to fulfill its $220,000 policy with Robert Christopher. He was 86 at the time of the 2008 accident and was considered under California law as more vulnerable than other members of the population.
It was discovered that the insurance company did everything possible to bury the case. Christopher and his partner, Patricia Freiling, were inside the home when a dump truck hauling dirt away from a construction site failed to negotiate a sharp turn. The truck, holding 15 tons of dirt, toppled over on its side and slammed into the residence. The impact severed the gas line and set off an explosion. The pair was trapped inside for almost 20 minutes until they were able to dislodge a door.
The case stated that Christopher tried to rebuild his home by trying to get compensation from the trucking company through its insurance while also collecting his homeowners policy. Residence Mutual held back payment and also charged Mr. Christopher for work done by an engineering frim and a storage company that packed up his belongings. The attorneys argued that the insurance company interfered with Mr. Christopher's lawsuit against the construction company and the city.
The jury awarded Mr. Christopher $8,062,850 combined economic, noneconomic and punitive damages. he also received $450,000 from the city in a settled lawsuit over the condition of the roadway.

Contact Dirk Derrick today if you feel your insurance company has unfairly delayed or denied your claim.

NHTSA Investigating Ford Taurus for Sticking Throttles

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said it is investigating as many as 360,000 2005 and 2006 model year Ford Taurus sedans for faulty accelerators. So far 14 complaints have been reported stemming from detached cruise control cables and sticking throttles. The issue has caused drivers to struggle to stop the car with the brakes and many had to shut off the engine or shift into neutral to stop the car.
The NHTSA states that it is only investigating the issue and a recall has not been issued. Ford has promised full cooperation with investigators.
If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC personal injury attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

The Unseen Damages of Traumatic Brain Injury

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

It is known that traumatic brain injuries can leave lasting damaging effects on the brain. However, to date there is no tool or good way to diagnose the damage. Now, scientists are testing a tool that will light up the breaks these types of injuries leave deep inside the brain very similar to the way an x-ray works for bones.
The research is just beginning to see if this type of test could really pinpoint the injuries and help with rehabilitation. It is a way to "make visible these previously invisible wounds" said Walter Schneider of the University of Pittsburgh, who is leading the development of the scan.
It is estimated that 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury in the United States each year. Survivors can have obvious disabilities or more subtle changes like mood swings or memory loss. Standard scans cannot see beyond the bleeding or swelling to tell the brain's connections are broken in a way it can't repair on its own; this is why the need for the scanning technology is so important.
With this new tool it processes high-powered MRI's through a special computer program that maps major fiber tracts, painting them in different colors that designate the different functions. Researchers then look for breaks in the fibers that can slow or stop the nerve connections from doing their jobs. This new tool provides a much closer look at the nerve fibers and will allow doctors the ability to detect and devise a treatment plan for TBI's.
This new tool is another step closer to providing a better way for doctors to treat traumatic brain injuries. It can also help patients better understand the diagnosis and help to customize a tailored treatment plan.
If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC traumatic brain injury attorney, Dirk Derrick at the The Derrick Law Firm has been handling traumatic brain injury cases in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

Honda Announces Minivan Recall

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Honda has issued a recall of their Odyssey Minivans from model years 2008 and 2009 due to a rear hatch defect. According to reports, the hatch could suddenly close causing danger to a person if they were loading something into the rear of the vehicle.
Honda filed a statement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administratoin stating that two gas-filled struts that are the support mechanism for the power controlled hatch had a manufacturing flaw. The pressurized gas that ensures the hatch is locked can leak through the struts which decreases the pressure on the whole system and could cause the mechanism to come loose.
The defect could potentially affect any Odyssey vehicle sold during 2008-2009. For more information visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.
If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC personal injury attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

New Campaign Convinces Teens Not to Text While Driving

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Statistics from the SC Highway Patrol state that car accidents are the leading cause of death in young drivers. 165 young drivers aged 15 to 24 died on SC highways last year due to distracted driving. Part of the issue that causes so many tragic lost lives is texting while driving. That is why the highway patrol and Subway restaurants have kicked off a new campaign called W8 2 TXT Safe Driver Awareness.
The goal of the campaign is to promote the importance of not texting while dirivng and to get students to take a plede against it. The campaign hopes to keep preventable tragic accidents from happening on South Carolina roadways. For more information on the campaign and to sign a virtual pledge, visit www.w82txtpledge.com.

Kia Recalling 145,000 Vehicles Due to Airbag Defect

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Kia Motors America has announced that it will recall 2006-2008 Kia Optimas and 2007-2008 Rondos because of a faulty air bag release system. The recall of vehicles will affect 145,000 cars. The defect is described as the clock spring contact assembly for the driver's side air bag can become damaged
over time causing the warning to light on the dashboard to display. this can potentially cause the air to fail to deploy in the event of a crash.
According to Kia, if the clock spring contact assembly becomes damaged, the electrical circuit that is required to deploy the air bag could experience a high resistance condition. Kia Motors also stated they would notify owners and replace the faulty assembly at no cost to the owners. The recall is scheduled to begin in March.
For more information, consumers can call 800-333-4542.
If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC personal injury attorney, Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

Ford Recalling 450,000 Minivans and SUV's

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall of over 450,000 minivans and SUV's because of a pair of mechanical issues. 205,896 Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans made during 2004-2005 model years because their torque converter output shaft mail fail. If this occurs, there could be a sudden loss of power that can cause an accident.
Ford is also recalling 244,530 Escape SUV's made during 2001-2002 model years because the brake master cylinder reservoir cap could leak brake fluid. If it leaks, it can corrode electrical connectors in the vehicle's braking system and lead to melting, smoke or a fire.
With both recalls, Ford says it will inform the affected owners and dealers will replace the parts for free. Owners of the SUV's will begin being notified the week of Jan. 23rd. Owners are urged to park the vehicles outside until the repairs can be made. For more information, contact Ford Motor Company.
If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC auto accident attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

Head Injuries In Children Can Lead to Long-Term Effects

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

A study published in November 2011 in Pediatrics magazine indicates a strong link between head trauma in children and long-term negative health effects. It is also noted in the article that moderate to severe head injuries can lead to "substantial long-term reduction" of a child's quality of life.
In the study, several hundred children under the age of 18, who had suffered head injuries were included as test subjects. The child's pre-injury conditions were reviewed and contrasted with the after effects of their injuries. This information was compared to 200 other children who were treated at the same hospital for non-serious, non-head injuries. The study showed that kids who suffered a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury experienced lasting effects from the injury to include difficulty with everyday tasks like teeth brushing, social interactions, memory, depression, and attentiveness. In the most severe cases, the children had a lower quality of life than children undergoing treatment for cancer. It was also noted in the study that those children with severe deficits were not likely to make any significant improvement after two years following the head injury.
The major point of the article and study was to bring awareness to childhood head injuries and especially to those injuries that can be avoided by wearing a helmet. Many injuries in outdoor recreation type activities can be avoided with helmets and gates can prevent young children from falling down stairs. Most of all, however, is just being an attentive parent. Keeping a close on on your children and their activities is the best way to protect them, and if they become injured, know the signs and symptoms of a serious head injury.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC traumatic brain injury attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at the The Derrick Law Firm has been handling traumatic brain injury cases in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

Ford Recalls Fusion and Mercury Milan Models for Wheel Defect

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Ford is recalling 2010-2011 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan vehicles that are equipped with 17 inch steel wheels after discovering a defect in which the wheel studs may fracture. In the 128,616 vehicles affected by the recall, multiple stud fractures could occur at the wheel location causing vehicle vibrations while driving. If ignored, wheel seperation could occur. The wheel seperating from the vehicle can pose serious risks for significant injuries. However, Ford has stated it knows of no accidents or injuries due to the defect.

The recalled vehicles were built between April 1-April 30th 2009 and December 1, 2009 to November 13, 2010. Owners of the cars will be notified at the beginning of January and dealers will inspect the rear brake disc surface and replace discs at no charge if necessary. The lug nuts will also be replaced in all the vehicles.

For more information, owners can contact Ford or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC personal injury attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

Serious Head Injuries Occur Due to Fall from Bumbo Baby Seats

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Bumbo International are again urging parents and caregivers never to place Bumbo baby seats on tables, countertops, chairs and other raised surfaces because of the serious risk of injury.

At least 45 incidents have occurred in which infants fell out of the Bumbo seat while it was being used on an elevated surface. 17 infants suffered skull fractures after falling from the seats since the initial recall in October 2007. The CPSC and Bumbo are also aware of 50 additional reports of infants falling or maneuvering out of the seats even while they were placed on the floor and becomming injured after hitting their heads on the floor or nearby toys.

The CPSC and Bumbo continue to warn parents and caretakers about the risks and urge them to take all safety precautions.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC personal injury attorney, Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling car accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

NHTSA Expands Probe of 2007-2008 Saturn Auras

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Federal safety regulators have widened and upgraded the investigation in the Saturn Aura vehicles after reports of a transmission shift cable that could fail. This failure could result in the parking gear to not fully engage. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the investigation has been upgraded and that the scope of the vehicles may be affected.

The investigation was widened from only 2007 model year cars to include 2008 models which raised the total number of affected cars to 88,729. According to GM, the makers of the cars, the problem affects mosly cars with 4-speed transmissions. The complaints received by the NHTSA allege the transmission shift cable failed causing the vehicle to roll, move, or accelerate while the shifter was in park, or to accelerate in the opposite direction than the driver intended.

The NHTSA says it has received 23 complaints and GM has received another 111, however, some of those were duplicate complaints. There was several reports of crashes and one injury. In the injury accident, the driver reportedly placed the shifter in park, exited the vehicle, and then was struck when the car unexpectedly rolled backwards.

For more information on the investigation please visit the NHTSA website.

Cadillac Recalls 700 CTS Models for Possible Brake Failure

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The automaker G.M. through its division Cadillac has recalled around 700 of its 2012 CTS model cars due to a possible brake failure. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that an improperly torqued retaining nut could come loose, disconnecting the brake pedal from the brake-boost pushroad. This disconnection could result in a sudden loss of ability to brake and could cause serious accidents without warning.

The spokesman for G.M. said the problem was discovered at the assembly plant. G.M. ordered dealers to stop selling the cars the day after the issue was discovered.

South Carolina Highway Patrol Receives Grant For DUI and Safety Belt Education

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The South Carolina Highway Patrol has been awarded four grants to further enhance the DUI education as well as seatbelt enforcement and education efforts. The SC Department of Public Safety, Office of Highway Safety awarded the grants with funding provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A portion of the money will be used for three troopers on the DUI team in Richland and Lexington counties. Another portion of the money will be used for the Florence/Horry DUI team to continue to pay salaries for three troopers on the DUI team. Horry County ranks 6th in the state for DUI deaths. A third portion of the money will go to purchase 2 rollover simulators to be used statewide in order to educate the public about safety belts. And the last portion of the money will be used to purchase 7 pairs of DUI fatal vision goggles, seven golf carts, and equipment for those golf carts. This type of equipment is used to teach teenagers about the dangers of impaired driving.

The SCHP has been quoted as stating that these grants will enhance the equipment, manpower, and resources that will allow them to better address these issues on all fronts.

Harley Davidson Recalls 250,000 Motorcycles to Correct Brake Issue

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The motorcycle maker Harley Davidson has issued a recall for certian touring motorcycles and trikes from its Custom Vehicle Operation (CVO) from model years 2009-2012. The reason for the recall is because the rear brake light switch can become damaged by heat from the bike's exhaust systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states the recall includes 250,757 models built from June 6, 2008 through September 16, 2011. According to the report the company knows of one alleged crash that can be attributed to the defect.

The company says that excessive heat may cause the switch to fail to activate the brake light when applying the brakes. This problem could aslo result in brake fluid leaking that can stop the rear brake from working properly. Harley Davidson states that its dealers will replace the rear brake light switch free of charge. The recall is expected to being around October 31, 2011. For a full list of affected motorcycles please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Website.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC motorcycle accident attorney, Dirk Derrick at The Derrick Law Firm has been handling motorcycle accidents, personal injury, and wrongful death claims in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

VW Recalls 168,000 Diesel Cars to Fix Fire Hazard Issue

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

German automakers Volkswagen are recalling 168,275 cars equipped with diesel engines because of a defect in the fuel injection system that could cause fuel leaks and lead to a fire hazard. The recall affects 2009-2012 Jettas as well as 2010-2012 Golf small cars and Audi A3 cars from 2010-2012. All of the cars are equipped with a 2-liter TDI diesel engine.

According to reports, cracks can develop in the fuel injection system and cause the fuel to leak which could possibly cause an engine fire. The company does not know of any fires, crashes, or injuries caused by the defect. Volkswagen will replace the fuel injector line in some models and will install dampers to cut the vibrations on all of them. The repairs will be made free of charge and will start in November according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall includes 161,144 Golf and Jetta models and another 7,131 Audi A3's. About 20% of the cars made during the recall model years will need to have the fuel lines replaced and all will get vibration dampers. More than 20% of the Volkswagens sold in the U.S. have diesel engines.

Texting While Driving More Dangerous Than We Know

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A new study has shown that texting or emailing while driving is more dangerous than previously thought. According to Christine Yager, leader of the study from Texas A&M University's Texas Transportation Institute, texting while driving doubles a driver's reaction time. This makes drivers less able to respond to sudden roadway dangers.

In the study, 42 drivers betweent he ages of 16 and 54 drove an 11 mile test track course while sending and receiving texts and/or emails. The same test subjects then re-did the test course while completely focused on driving. On the course, drivers were instructed to stop when they saw a flashing yellow light. The reaction time was recorded for each driver. The study showed that the typical time it took a driver to stop that was not texting was 1 to 2 seconds. When the driver was distracted, the reaction time was on average 3 to 4 seconds. It was also shown that the texting driver was 11 times more likely to miss the flashing light altogether. Yager did state that the reaction time was the same regardless of whether the driver was sending a text or reading one. Yager says this study is different from previous studies on the same subject matter because participants were driving an actual car, not a simulator. It was also shown that the distracted drivers were more likely to swerve in the lanes, which can lead to accidents on actual highways.

The U.S. Transportation Department statistics show that distracted driving contributes to as much as 20% of all fatal crashes and that cell phones are the primary source of driver distractions. They also report that 1 in 5 motorists admit to texting while driving.

While many states are moving towards tougher legislation regarding texting while driving, it is important for each and every driver on the roadways to be aware of the dangers it poses. Distracted driving is an easy problem to solve, and in doing so, our roadways would be much safer.

Officials Investigating 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty's Because of Unexpected Airbag Deployment

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The federal government has begun to look into 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty SUV's after seven complaints that the front air bags deployed without warning and for no reason. In some cases, owners said that the warning light was on or had been going on and off before the bag went off.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also reported there have been 15 injuries from these unexpected deployments.
Investigations will continue to see if the issue warrants a recall. Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the latest in auto recalls.

Lawmakers Want the CDC to Compile a Student Concussion Protocol

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Recent Sports-related concussions among children have lawmakers calling for nationwide protocols governing these types of injuries. Lawmakers announced Tuesday that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) agreed to study and develop national guidelines for managing sports-related concussions for student athletes.

The lawmakers and the CDC have stressed that every concussion is brain damage and that students that suffer these types of injuries and return to the sport too soon can result with serious and sometimes fatal consequences. The CDC says that the guideline initiative will work to improve diagnosis and management of brain injuries in younger children and teens who are injured on or off the field.

Concussions are dangerous because they can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and muscle coordination and these symptoms can become increasingly worse if not treated properly. For years now, the CDC has been working on this issue and to develop materials for coaches on steps to take if they think an athlete has suffered a concussion. The CDC has now put together an expert panel to discuss pediatric guidelines for doctors to best diagnose and treat concussions not only in sports but also in car accidents, falls, and other common causes.

This is a step in the right direction towards establishing guidelines to help protect kids in sports. Concussions are serious injuries and there is a need for common protocols for diagnosing and treating these types of injuries.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC traumatic brain injury attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at the The Derrick Law Firm has been handling traumatic brain injury cases in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.